EcoWaste Coalition is a public interest network of community, church, school, environmental and health groups pursuing sustainable solutions
to waste, climate change and chemical issues facing the Philippines and the world.

20 February 2019

A watch group tracking toxic chemicals in products and
wastes scored the flagrant sale in Region IV-A of dangerous skin whitening
cosmetics laced with mercury despite being banned by health authorities.

The EcoWaste Coalition exposed the illegal trade of
mercury-containing skin whitening creams imported from China after procuring
the proscribed products from retailers in nine cities in Region IV-A, also
known as the CALABARZON region.

“We are appalled by the traders’ utter disregard for
consumer health and safety that is threatened by mercury in cosmetics that
promise to brighten and smoothen the skin,” said Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety
Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.

“Mercury, which is forbidden in cosmetic product formulations,
is hazardous to health.Chronic exposure
to this highly toxic chemical can cause damage to the kidneys, nervous system,
and to the skin itself,” he added.

“Now that the news is out, we expect our national and
local government agencies to act with dispatch to rid CALABARZON of these
dangerous products to protect consumers, especially women who unsuspectingly
patronize such poison cosmetics,” he stated.

In line with the country's laws as well as the Minamata
Convention on Mercury, the EcoWaste Coalition exhorted local government units
where the illegal products are sold to take action, including adopting
ordinances banning mercury-contaminated skin whitening products like what
Quezon City recently did.

In test buys conducted from February 15 to 18, the group
bought 22 skin whitening cosmetics costing P60 to P200 each from stores selling
beauty and herbal products in the cities of Cavite and Imus in Cavite province,
Biñan, San Pablo and San Pedro in Laguna province,Batangas and Lipa in Batangas province,
Antipolo in Rizal province and Lucena in Quezon province.Many of the sellers provided official
receipts.

The products bought were among those already covered by
various public health warnings issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
against skin whiteners with mercury above the trace amount limit of 1 part per
million (ppm) as per the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive.

The group then screened the products for mercury using a
portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analytical device.As per XRF screening, mercury exceeding the 1
ppm limit was detected in all the 22 samples.

The EcoWaste Coalition urged consumers to immediately
stop using these health-damaging products and to seek medical attention,
especially if they are starting to experience the side effects of using such
products.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO),“the main adverse effect of the inorganic
mercury contained in skin lightening soaps and creams is kidney damage.”It noted that “mercury in skin lightening
products may also cause skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, as well
as a reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections.”Other effects include anxiety, depression or
psychosis and peripheral neuropathy, said the WHO.

The FDA has likewise warned “the transfer of mercury to
fetuses of pregnant women may manifest as neurodevelopment deficits later in
life.”

To halt the illegal trade of mercury-containing
cosmetics, the EcoWaste Coalition urged the government to go after erring
importers, distributors and sellers and to charge them under Republic Act 9711,
or the Food and Drug Administration Act.

RA 9711 states that any person who violates the law
shall, upon conviction, suffer the penalty of imprisonment from one to not more
than 10 years or a fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than
P500,000.Stiffer penalties and fines
await erring manufacturers, importers or distributors.

-end-

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is a public interest network of community, church, school, environmental and health groups pursuing sustainable solutions to waste, climate change and chemical issues facing the Philippines and the world.